Baldur’s Gate 3 Xbox Series S Enhanced Optimization Enhances Performance for All Players
Larian's optimization efforts for Baldur's Gate 3 on Xbox Series S will not only enhance performance, but also benefit Series X, PS5, and PC gamers The memory requirements have been significantly reduced, eliminating the need for slower memory on the Xbox Series S
Article Key Points
Larian Studios is making great progress in optimizing Baldur's Gate 3 for the Xbox Series S.
The developer decreased the RAM and VRAM requirements of the game on the Series S by 10% and 35% respectively, allowing the RPG to no longer rely on the slower memory in the Series S. The CEO of Larian anticipates that this enhancement will positively impact all other editions of Baldur's Gate 3.
Larian Studios has provided an optimistic update on its progress in optimizing Baldur's Gate 3 for the Xbox Series S. This advancement will not only benefit players on the Series X, PlayStation 5, and PC, but it is especially exciting news for those eagerly anticipating the Xbox version of the game.
Originally released for PC on August 3, Baldur's Gate 3 became available on the PS5 on September 6. Initially, Larian had planned to release the Xbox version in 2024. However, due to the tremendous success of the RPG, Microsoft has found a way to expedite the port. Microsoft has waived the requirement for feature parity for the Series S version, as Larian encountered difficulties in making the split-screen multiplayer mode functional on the less powerful of the two current-gen consoles. Consequently, Baldur's Gate 3 will still be launching on Xbox in 2023, albeit without split-screen multiplayer on the Series S.
Larian Massively Reduced Baldur's Gate 3 Memory Requirements on Xbox Series S
Larian CEO Swen Vincke has provided an update on the company's ongoing efforts to enhance and optimize their highly successful game for the Xbox Series S. Making his announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, the official shared two benchmark screenshots, which he describes as "a wonderful gift from our talented engineers." These screenshots demonstrate the significant progress Larian has made in reducing the memory requirements of Baldur's Gate 3 on the Xbox Series S. Impressively, the latest version of the game now utilizes 10% less RAM and approximately 35% less VRAM.
Baldur's Gate 3 No Longer Needs the Slower Memory in Xbox Series S
In terms of memory usage, the studio has successfully decreased the requirements for the Series S version of Baldur's Gate 3 from approximately 8.7 GB to around 6.9 GB. It's important to note that the console has a total of 10 GB GDDR6 memory, which serves as both RAM and VRAM. However, only 80% of this space is equipped with a faster 128-bit bus, while the remaining 2 GB rely on a slower 32-bit bus. This slower bus allows for read speeds of up to 56 GB/s, four times slower compared to the faster bus. By reducing the memory demands of the Xbox version below 8 GB, significant performance enhancements can be expected on the Series S.
Since this improved version of the RPG was designed for Xbox consoles, it utilized DirectX 12, a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) for Microsoft's platforms. Vincke believes that the progress his team made in managing the game's memory requirements will benefit all platforms, including the PS5 which does not support DirectX 12.
This update has sparked hope among fans that Larian may find a way to bring the game's local multiplayer mode to Microsoft's budget console. While Vincke has not commented on this speculation, Microsoft has previously stated that there is a possibility of having split-screen for Baldur's Gate 3 on the Xbox Series S.
Baldur's Gate 3 is an RPG game created and released by Larian Studios, drawing inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons. This immersive game allows players to embark on exciting quests, level up their characters, and engage in turn-based combat, all while following the rules of the D&D 5th edition. Additionally, players have the option to experience the adventure solo or in cooperative mode.
Franchise: Baldur's Gate
Platform(s): PC, Stadia, macOS, PS5
Release Date: August 3, 2023
Developer: Larian Studios
Publisher: Larian Studios
Genre: RPG
ESRB Rating: M for Mature - Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
Game Length: 30 Hours
Metascore: 96
Split Screen Orientation: Vertical Only
Number of Players: 1-2
Official Website: Visit Official Site
Steam: Visit Steam Store
Playstation Store: Visit Playstation Store
Editor's P/S
As a Baldur's Gate fan, I am thrilled to hear about the optimization efforts Larian Studios is making for the Xbox Series S. The fact that the game will no longer rely on the slower memory on the Series S is a huge improvement, and I can't wait to see how it enhances the overall performance of the game. This optimization will not only benefit Xbox Series S players but also Series X, PS5, and PC gamers. It's clear that Larian is committed to delivering the best possible experience for all players, regardless of their platform of choice.
Furthermore, the potential for split-screen multiplayer on the Xbox Series S is an exciting prospect. While it's not confirmed yet, the fact that Microsoft has left the door open for this feature gives me hope that it could become a reality in the future. Overall, I'm incredibly impressed with Larian's dedication to Baldur's Gate 3 and can't wait to see what the future holds for this amazing game.
